Platelet Aggregates Induced by Red Blood Cell Injury

Abstract

It has recently been demonstrated that a single-pulse ruby red laser beam of moderate strength produces enough heat to rupture red blood cells in the rapidly moving flow of an arterial vessel. The resulting clump of damaged red cells adheres to the vessel wall and is quickly covered with adhesive platelets. It was also demonstrated that the same strength laser beam did not cause a platelet aggregate if the vessel was perfused with saline or platelet rich plasma at the time the laser beam was delivered. (5) The fact that platelets did not adhere to the vessel wall when blood flow was restored suggested that the laser had not produced sufficient endothelial damage to initiate aggregation. McKenzie, Arfors, Hovig, and Matheson (3) have recently reported results of ultrastructure studies at sites of laser injury and state that there is minimal damage to endothelial cells.